DAW Aung San Suu Kyi,

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1 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PAGE-8,9 (OPINION) NATIONAL Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker receives EuroCham Myanmar delegation PAGE-2 NATIONAL Vice President U Myint Swe addresses opening ceremony of 6 th ACCMSME PAGE-3 Vol. V, No. 204, 13 th Waning of Thadingyut 1380 ME Tuesday, 6 November 2018 State Counsellor receives Singapore s FM DAW Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, received Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, the current chair of ASEAN, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw at 3:30 pm on 5 November Repatriation of verified displaced persons in Mid-November 2018 discussed During the meeting, the State Counsellor explained about the recent developments in Rakhine State including the measures taken by the Government of Myanmar for the repatriation of verified displaced persons in Mid-November 2018 as agreed at the recent meeting of Joint Working Group between Myanmar and Bangladesh. They also exchanged views on how Singapore and ASEAN could assist Myanmar in the repatriation process. SEE PAGE-2 State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi holds talks with Singapore s Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan. PHOTO: MNA Republic of the Union of Myanmar Union Election Commission Notification No (166/2018) 12 th Waning of Thadingyut, 1380 ME 5 th November 2018 Announcement for the list of Pyithu Hluttaw Representative Appointment of experts to Independent Commission of Enquiry To collect evidence and conduct office works for the Independent Commission of Enquiry formed with notification 61/2018 dated from the Office of the President, U Hla Win and U Aung Win have been appointed as experts of the commission effective from 5 November 2018, it is learnt. MNA The person mentioned below has been elected at the by-election held on 3 November 2018, according to the announcement by respective State Sub-Election Commission in accordance with section 49 (B) of the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law. He has been elected as Pyithu Hluttaw Representative for the constituency shown against his name as indicated below: Name NRC No. Constituency Name of party represented Chin State U Nyunt Win 4/ Ka Pa La (Naing) Kanpetlet National League for Democracy Sd/ Hla Thein Chairman Union Election Commission INSIDE TODAY Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister honours children at Literature Festival in Pathein PAGE-7

2 2 NATIONAL Union Election Commission expresses thanks for successful 2018 by-election Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin hosts dinner in honour of the Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan and delegation at Park Royal Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw. PHOTO: MNA State Counsellor receives Singapore s FM FROM PAGE-1 Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U Tun Tun Hein receives EuroCham Myanmar delegation PYITHU Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U Tun Tun Hein received a EuroCham Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Director Mr. Marc de la Fouchardiere at Nay Pyi Taw Hluttaw Building, Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker Office yesterday afternoon. At the meeting, matters relating to challenges and difficulties on illegal imports and investment matters faced by Euro- Cham Myanmar to be submitted to the Hluttaw, to be permitted to participate in drawing up and enacting laws relating to it and consumer protection laws were discussed and views exchanged. Also present at the meeting together with Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker were Pyithu Hluttaw Bills Committee Chair- Present at the meeting were U Kyaw Tint Swe, Union Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor, U Kyaw Tin, Union Minister for International Cooperation and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. U Kyaw Tin, Union Minister for International Cooperation hosted a dinner in honour of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore at Park Royal Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw. The Singapore Foreign Minister left Nay Pyi Taw for Singapore by air in the evening after conclusion of his one-day working visit to Myanmar. MNA Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U Tun Tun Hein holds talks with Deputy Director Mr. Marc de la Fouchardiere from EuroCham Myanmar. PHOTO: MNA man U Khin Maung Win, Economic and Financial Development Committee Chairman U Khin Aye, Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw committee secretaries U Kyaw Soe Lin, U Khin Maung Soe, Dr. Myat Nyana Soe and officials from Pyithu Hluttaw office. MNA (Translated by Zaw Min) THE By-Elections for 2018 were held successfully and peacefully on 3 November in Myanmar. We would like to extend our gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the election sub-commissions, heads of the polling stations and their staff and members, all relevant ministries and departments who provided support from all sides, political parties, international supporting groups, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission and civil society organizations who observed the election process, embassies and international organizations, members of the media and all voting citizens for the successful holding of the 2018 by-election. Union Election Commission (Translated by Myat Thandar Aung) Paper reading session on research development scheduled for 10 November A paper reading session on research development will be held at the meeting room of the Printing and Publishing Department on Theinbyu Street in Botahtaung Township, Yangon on 10 November from 9am to 4:30pm, and everyone who is interested is invited to attend. By holding the paper reading session, the Ministry of Information aims for the proliferation of research and development teams in Myanmar and to search ways to reestablish the historical Burma Research Society. MNA (Translated by Myat Thandar Aung) Script workshop on 7 November The Film Development Centre under the Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Information and the Yangon Film School are jointly sponsoring a script workshop, titled TV & Film Drama Orientation Day, to be held at 9 am on 7 November at the Film Development Centre, No. 50, Golden Valley, Bahan Township, Yangon. The workshop will be led by British screenwriter Rachel Mathews and held with the aim of promoting the role of script writing in supporting the movie production, in a bid to meet international norms. MNA (Translated by Zaw Min) BIMSTEC Secretary-General arrives in YGN A DELEGATION led by BIMS- TEC Secretary-General Mr. M Shahidul Islam landed in Yangon International Airport yesterday evening. They were welcomed by Deputy Director-General U Zaw Tun Oo of the Protocol Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury and other officials. MNA (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo) Correction A story on Page 2 of the 5 November edition of the Global New Light of Myanmar contained an error. In the first column of the story with the headline First batch of over 2,260 returnees to be accepted at rate of 150 per day, the sentence should read The first batch of over 2,260 displaced people will be accepted at a rate of 150 per day, beginning 15 November. Ed

3 NATIONAL 3 Rule of Law It is understood that for nations going through a transition, it takes an average of 10 years for the rule of law to take firm hold. It is a long-term investment, where dynamic and unrelenting motivation is required, if the nation is to live in harmony, peace and security under a strong and firm rule of law. (Excerpt from the report on the current work of the Union Government, delivered at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on 19 September 2018) VP U Myint Swe addresses opening ceremony of 6 th ACCMSME VICE President U Myint Swe addressed the opening ceremony of the 6 th ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (6 th ACCMSME), at the Park Royal Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw, yesterday morning. The ceremony was attended by Union Ministers U Khin Maung Cho and Dr. Than Myint, Deputy Ministers U Aung Hla Tun, U Hla Kyaw, Dr. Tun Naing and U Maung Maung Win, Central Bank of Myanmar Deputy Governor U Soe Thein, AC- CMSME alternating Chairman Mr. Lor Sathya, Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry President and member along with representatives from ASEAN member and partner countries, experts, specially invited guests and officials. In addressing the ceremony, the Vice President spoke of being honored to host the 6 th AC- CMSME and related meetings. The ASEAN SME Agency Working Group (SMEWG) was started in 1995 with the aim of including micro businesses and to cooperate with ASEAN Working Groups. It was expanded and renamed the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (AC- CMSME). To expand the market of MSMEs in the travel sector, garment and clothing sector, supply linkages are required, as well as other opportunities, such as obtaining information resources. Vice President U Myint Swe addresses at the Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Committe on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises held in Park Royal Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw. PHOTO: MNA Today s meeting was described as a very important meeting for development of MSMEs in the ASEAN region. The five strategic work processes for the development of MSMEs in the ASEAN region are increasing production capacity, technology and innovation, support in obtaining financial investments, expanding markets, regulating the policy and legal framework to step up to international levels. and encourage entrepreneurship and human resource development. There are Key Performance Indicators to measure the achieving of targeted results in implementing the work processes. These Key Performance Indicators are to be used to achieve the aim of economic development. ASEAN is a community that makes up a sizable area in the world. In a single ASEAN community, all are urged to work together toward an ASEAN community, which provides security and stability, sustainable development, development for all countries, and ensures the highest economic growth. There are 12 priority sectors in ASEAN MSMEs. Of those, seven are production sectors and five are service sectors. The majority of the MSMEs are seen in the travel sector, garment and clothing sector, agriculture products production sector, wood products sector and fish breeding sector. To expand the market of MSMEs in the travel sector, garment and clothing sector, supply linkages are required, as well as other opportunities, such as obtaining information resources. Furthermore, MSME sectors in the ASEAN region are seen to be facing financial constraints, challenges related to technology and market situations, in addition to insufficient information, and economic and policy difficulties. These difficulties and problems are to be overcome through The 6 th ACCMSME Meeting and related meetings continue in Nay Pyi Taw. PHOTO: MNA the force of ASEAN regional unity, together with the cooperation and support of international and partner countries. ACCMSME plays an important role in connecting MSMEs in the ASEAN region. ASEAN region countries have differing topography, land, water and resources. These differences are to be used as a major force in penetrating world markets through innovation and inventions. Myanmar fully supports the works conducted by AC- CMSME. With regards to the MSME sector, Myanmar is using the experience gained from attending regular ASEAN MSME meetings to develop its MSME works. For MSME development in Myanmar, effective support was provided in investment, assisting in acquiring technical support, seeking out markets, protecting MSME through an effective legal framework and the human resources development sectors. In addition to this, mid and short term Quick Win sectors were conducted, while long term works were held under a Twin-Track process. As it is November 2018, this is the midway of the Phase 1. All works that were conducted are to be reviewed in the meeting and definitive work processes for the next two years are to be drawn up and implemented. The Vice President also thanked the representatives of ASEAN region countries, partner countries of China, Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, and partner organizations, including OECD, USAID and GIZ. The ceremony came to a close after Vice President U Myint Swe and ceremony attendees posed for commemorative group photos. During the second part of the ceremony, Union Minister for Industry U Khin Maung Cho led the 6 th ACCMSME meeting. MNA (Translated by Zaw Min)

4 4 LOCAL NEWS Wildlife conservation training held in Yinmabin DEPUTY CHIEF EDITOR Aye Min Soe SENIOR EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Kyaw Myaing SENIOR TRANSLATORS Zaw Min, Zaw Htet Oo, INTERNATIONAL NEWS EDITOR Ye Htut Tin, LOCAL NEWS EDITORS Tun Tun Naing (Editor), Nwe Nwe Tun (Sub-editor), TRANSLATORS Khaing Thanda Lwin, Hay Mar Tin Win, Ei Myat Mon Zaw Htet Oo Kyaw Zin Lin Kyaw Zin Tun REPORTER May Thet Hnin, PHOTOGRAPHER Kyaw Zeya Phoe Khwar COMPUTER TEAM Tun Zaw, Thein Ngwe, Zaw Zaw Aung, Ye Naing Soe, Hnin Pwint, Kay Khaing Win, Sanda Hnin, Thein Htwe EDITORIAL SECTION (+95) (01) , Fax (+95) (01) CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION San Lwin, (+95) (01) , Hotline ADVERTISING & MARKETING ( +95) (01) , Hotline marketing@globalnewlightofmyanmar.com subscription@globalnewlightofmyanmar.com Printed and published at the Global New Light of Myanmar Printing Factory at No.150, Nga Htat Kyee Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon, by the Global New Light of Myanmar Daily under Printing Permit No and Publishing Permit No gnlmdaily@gmail.com THE Forest Department opened a basic training course on the rule of law and wildlife conservation in Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park on 5 November, in cooperation with the Global Conservation. The training will be conducted from 5 to 13 November with 26 attendees, including 19 staff members from Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park and seven local residents. The opening ceremony included officers from the district-level related departments, township-level departments and trainees. At the ceremony, Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division Director U Win Naing Thaw said the national park is one of the sites for foreign travellers to relax, as well as local visitors. By providing training courses, official seek to reduce By May Thet Hnin THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is developing laboratories as part of an ongoing project. We are drawing up the project to ensure the development of laboratories. We are also producing skilled labouratorian. Therefore, the development of laboratories continues step by step, said Dr. Htin Lin, the Deputy Director-General of FDA. Currently, the FDA s main laboratories are located in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay. Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division director U Win Naing Thaw and Mr. James Jeffrey Morgan from the Global Conservation explain about the basic training course at Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park yesterday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Among the three laboratories, Nay Pyi Taw laboratory is recognized as operating at internationally accepted levels. Therefore, Yangon and Mandalay laboratories need to upgrade to reach international levels. FDA laboratories are also being built in other states and regions, he added. Laboratory equipment and appliances have already been purchased in other states and regions. Construction will also be completed soon. Currently, we are making arrangements to conduct training courses for the staff, he added. To receive internationally recognized certificates for agricultural and fisheries products, which are exported, products have to undergo laboratory tests in foreign countries because there are only a few international standard laboratories in Myanmar. Therefore, it is needed to develop internationally recognized laboratories in Myanmar. In 2019, plans call for the National Health Laboratory under the Ministry of Health and Sports to set up a High Security Laboratory and laboratory equipment building, in cooperation with the impact on the development of the tourism industry. The training will provide the technology for administrators and staff of the national park to prevent illegal logging and hunting, the monetary management for garden conservation and the means to create sustainable income for local people. Also, Mr. James Jeffrey Morgan from the Global Conservation explained the purpose of the training, while Freeland Thailand group provided hidden cameras and other forest related items. Than Htay Aung (Kani) (Translated by Hay Mar) FDA develops laboratories as part of project Agency Francaise Development (AFD). They will also renovate the National Health Laboratory (Yangon) and Public Health laboratory (Mandalay) building, promote professional research and raise technical skills among the staff of the National Health Laboratory, and implement a network of public health laboratories. Currently, laboratories are being opened within some ministries. Also, UMFCCI and other associations have opened laboratories. (Translated by Hay Mar) Myanmar, Bangladesh conduct coordinated patrols Write for us We appreciate your feedback and contributions. If you have any comments or would like to submit editorials, analyses or reports please ce@globalnewlightofmyanmar.com with your name and title. Due to limitation of space we are only able to publish Letter to the Editor that do not exceed 500 words. Should you submit a text longer than 500 words please be aware that your letter will be edited. A coordinated patrol between Myanmar and Bangladesh was conducted from border post 42 to 43 from 10:50 am to 12:40 pm on 4 November, according to the Myanmar Police Force. The Myanmar patrol was led by Police Major Myo Myint from No. 1 Border Police Force, Area 2, Maungtaw Township, Rakhine State, and the Bangladeshi side was led by Naib Subedar Md. Mahbubur Rahman of No. 11 Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB). Similarly, troops led by Police Inspector Kyi Soe, of Kyee Kyun police post, Maungtaw Town, area 3, No. 1 Border Police Force on two water crafts conducted a coordinated patrol along the Naf River with troops led by Subedar Md. Shaik Adul Jalil of BGB NO. 2 on two speed boats on the morning of 4 November. The four boats met up on the border of the two countries in the middle of the Naf River at Nautical mile 15 and patrolled along the river up to Nautical mile 18 where the two sides met on boat 004. GNLM (Translated by Thanda) Myanmar and Bangladeshi security forces conducting a naval patrol by boats along the Naf River. PHOTO: MYANMAR

5 LOCAL BUSINESS Seminar on Yangon and Universal Design Cities held yesterday 5 U Phyo Min Thein delivers the speech at the Awareness Seminar on Yangon and Universal Design Cities in Yangon. PHOTO: YANGON REGION GOVERNMENT AN awareness seminar on Yangon and Universal Design Cities was jointly held by the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) and Myanmar Independent Living Initiative (MILI) yesterday at Summit Parkview Hotel. Attendging the seminar were Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Yangon Region Minister for Electricity, Industry and Transportation Daw Nilar Kyaw, Yangon Mayor U Maung Maung Soe, officials from the Australian Embassy to Myanmar, along with related departments and civil society organizations (CSOs). In his opening remarks, The Yangon Region Chief Minister said, I would like to express my appreciation towards MILI and the Australian Embassy for this seminar. Through this, we hope a universal design for our city will emerge, he said. This is part of the effort to ensure Yangon will be a desirable city to live in, he said. He continued, Suggestions from officials from the YCDC, various departments and CSOs were received, and significant changes will be made. Hopefully, this plan will reap great results for Yangon to become a better city to live in and be accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors. After this seminar, officials need to select pilot project areas to carry out within the entire city. Therefore, officials will proceed to further discussions concerning project areas, which will be designated in six townships, including downtown, or part of them, said the Chief Minister. MILI was organized to promote equal rights, inclusion and independent living for people with disabilities in Myanmar, and it has continued promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities, as well as for those who are economically disadvantaged. The organization is headquartered in Yangon. There are now 10 branches with 4,000 members. GNLM (Translated by Ei Myat Mon) Consumer Protection bill expected to pass in early 2019 By May Thet Hnin CONSUMER Protection Law 2014 is being amended and is expected to be approved in early 2019, said U Ye Htut Naing, Director of the Consumer Affairs Department. After the bill is approved by the Pyithu Hluttaw, it will be referred to the Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee. The bill is expected to receive final approval in March Laws are amended to be adaptable to the current age. Some provisions are found to be impediments in their practical implementation, said U Ye Htut Naing. The amendments of the law are nearly finished. It will be discussed in the Amyotha Hluttaw at some time this month. We expect it will be enacted in March, he said. Under the new draft law, if the Consumer Affairs Department discovers damages and losses to consumers, they can take legal action against the producers and sellers. Currently, actions can only be taken if consumers file complaints for their losses under the existing law. Additionally, there are some overlaps between the departments under the existing law, when they hold the concurrent power for this. The amended law will ensure it does not overlap with the distribution of authority among departments. More details regarding production and distribution of the goods are included in the label. Under the new draft law, facts included in labelling will increase from 4 to 7 for entrepreneurs. Labelling shall include the brand or logo of the goods, instructions, storage conditions, importer names and address of the manufacturing... there are also provisions to protect entrepreneurs from allegations and written accusations... enterprises, the address of the manufacturing or repackaging for imported goods, ingredients in the products, their weight and measured information, and health and food allergy warnings, along with additional information. In addition to the responsibilities of the businesses, there are also provisions to protect entrepreneurs from allegations and written accusations to harm entrepreneurs. Regarding offences and penalties, those who violate any provision contained in the existing law will face possible imprisonment of not more than 3 years, and fines not exceeding Ks5 million. The new draft law states that the punishment will not exceed two years and fines of not more than Ks20 million. Entrepreneurs who violate consumers rights will receive notifications, remedies, orders, directives and payment procedures for losses and damages. This Consumer Protection Bill is jointly formulated by the Consumer Affairs Department, the related ministries, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations. At present, the Consumer Affairs Department has been conducting educational talks concerning the draft for consumer protection. The consumer dispute settlement body, led by individual region and state government ministers with personnel from related departments, will conduct assessments to examine whether entrepreneurs are violating any provisions in the law. There are 200 disputes that have been sent to the Consumer Affairs Department, as of the end of October this year, 60 per cent of which are complaints about services. (Translated by Ei Myat Mon) October stock trading on YSX plunges from September trading THE value of traded stocks on the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX) in October showed a significant decrease of over Ks170 million, compared to September s trading. The figure plunged from the August trading, with an estimated value of Ks780 million and trading volume of 184,812 shares. September s trading was registered at 218,595 shares, with a trading value of Ks954.6 million, according to monthly trading data released online by YSX. At present, shares of five listed companies First Myanmar Investment (FMI), Myanmar Thilawa SEZ Holdings (MTSH), Myanmar Citizens Bank (MCB), First Private Bank (FPB) and TMH Telecom Public Co. Ltd. are being traded on the YSX. This year, YSX increased the matching time from two to four per day. In addition to this, YSX held a promotional event for investors, in order to increase the number of new investors and encourage existing investors to trade more actively by letting them know about financial reviews and future prospects for YSX listed companies. The Yangon Stock Exchange remained lackluster, despite daily trading, except during market holidays, as the capital market infrastructure is still lacking, noted officials. Only 15 per cent of 36,000 securities accounts are active, and the trading of stocks this year is on the low side. In order for the stock market to grow its momentum, government support is vital. With the support of government, more public companies will be enticed to participate in the stock market and more institutional investors, such as financing companies, investment banks, and insurance companies, will emerge, said U Thet Htun Oo, Executive Senior Manager of YSX. Meanwhile, the value of traded stocks of the five listed companies were registered at Ks1.21 billion in January, Ks 746 million in February, Ks778 million in March, Ks875 million in April, Ks869 million in May, an all-time new low of Ks666 million in June, Ks1.23 billion in July and the highest being Ks1.5 billion in August. Trading was later reported on a downward trend, with an estimated value of Ks954.6 million in September and Ks780 million in October. GNLM (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)

6 6 NATIONAL Union Minister Dr. Aung Thu participates in Ministerial Forum on Global South-South Cooperation in Agriculture (MFASSC) UNION Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr. Aung Thu attended the Ministerial Forum on Global South-South Cooperation in Agriculture (MFASSC) held on 2 November in Changsha, China. The forum was attended by representatives from 26 member countries, together with 11 international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Participating in the discussion, Dr. Aung Thu said Myanmar has launched the Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS) to carry out Myanmar s economic development and poverty alleviation process, noting that agricultural transformation and development are of paramount importance in the country. Concerted efforts are also being made to create investment opportunities in the private sectors, aiming to meet the targets of sustainable agricultural development in the country. The Government is striving to eradicate poverty in all its forms throughout the country, to end famine, to improve food security and nutrition, and to meet the targets of sustainable agricultural development, while creating investment opportunities in the THE Third meeting of the Legal Translation Commission, with the Attorney General of the Union serving as Chairman, was held in the meeting hall of the Union Attorney General s Office Union Minister Dr. Aung Thu gifts souvenir to Chinese Deputy Minister Mr. Qu Dongyu. PHOTO: MNA private sector. At the forum, the participants took part in the discussion about policies on the agricultural sector, trading, quality improvement standards and expanding technological cooperation among all MFASSC member countries. Dr. Aung Thu also received Mrs. Deepali Khanna from the Rockefeller Foundation, and discussed accelerating the rural electrification scheme using mini solar power, in cooperation Third meeting of Legal Translation Commission held in Nay Pyi Taw Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo addresses the third meeting of the Legal Translation Commission held at his office s meeting hall in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. PHOTO: MNA with Myanmar s Department of Rural Development (DRD). Next, Dr. Aung Thu met with Mr. Qu Dongyu, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and discussed the matters concerning technical cooperation in preventing cattle diseases, the fishery sector, implementation of rice inspections and technical support in the agricultural sectors. MNA (Translation by Win Ko Ko Aung) at 10:00 am yesterday. U Tun Tun Oo, Attorney General of the Union, said the Legal Translation Commission was formed in March 2017 to translate the existing laws enacted in English into Myanmar. The Myanmar Legal Translation Commission has published two books of legal translations containing nine laws in July 2018, after receiving approval. The commission would approve the translation of some laws and acts, including the Transfer of Property Act, the Myanmar Aircraft Act, the Official Secrets Act, Service of Summons Act, Representation Agreement Act, and others. Moreover, another thirteen laws are in the process of being translated and are expected to receive approval during the fourth meeting. The meeting was attended by members of the Legal Translation Commission and invited guests. MNA (Translation by Win Ko Ko Aung) President s Office continues announcement of illegal drug arrests, seizures acting on tip-offs THE Office of the President issued Press Release No. 22/2018 yesterday, publicly announcing the Ministry of Home Affairs arrests and seizures in the fight against illicit drug trafficking up till 3 November. The ministry made the arrests, acting on information, sent to the Drug Activity Special Complaint Department of the Office of the President as of 3 November. The full text of the press release will be reported in the 7 November issue of The Global New Light of Myanmar. GNLM Myanmar Engineering Council signs MoU with China Association for Science and Technology A ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Myanmar Engineering Council and the China Association for Science and Technology was held yesterday at the Royal ACE Hotel. Dr Charlie Than, Chairman of the council, and Ms. Xin Bing, the Director of the Centre for Professional Training and Services under the Chinese association, delivered opening remarks at the ceremony. Dr. Charlie Than and Ms. Xin Bing signed the MoU, in the presence of Union Ministers U Win Khaing and U Han Zaw. Union Minister U Win Khaing then delivered his remarks. In the MoU, they agreed to establish a mutual assessment system for technical engineering certificates between MEngC and the China Association for Science and Technology, following the rules and regulations of either country in issuing recognition to engineering certificates from both Myanmar and China, support from the China Association for Science and Technology for MEngC in acquiring the Washington Accord Signatory, awarding related engineering certificates, providing necessary professional training, and offering support from the MEngC to help the Chinese association become a member of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement on Engineering Services. MNA (Translated by Myat Thandar Aung) Myanmar Engineering Council Chairman Dr. Charlie Than and Director Ms. Xin Bing from the China Association for Science and Technology, sign the MoU in the presence of Union Ministers U Win Khaing and U Han Zaw. PHOTO: MNA

7 Rakhine State Chief Minister inspects hospital in Sittway NATIONAL Republic of the Union of Myanmar Union Election Commission Notification THE by-election was held on 3 November 2018 for respective Hluttaw seats. According to the Hluttaw Election Bylaw 77 for each respective Hluttaw, all elected Hluttaw candidates have to report with the Election Campaign Expenses Form No. 20 to the election sub-commissions where they are registered, within thirty days of this from the announcement of the successful Hluttaw candidate s name from Region or State Election Sub-Commissions. If the contested Hluttaw candidates and their Hluttaw representatives fail to report their election campaign expenses, they will be announced as unqualified according to the respective Election Bylaw 84. The respective Hluttaw representative and sub-election commission members are urged to report the expense of their election campaign within the specified date. Union Election Commission (Translated by Myat Thandar Aung) 7 Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu gives encouragement and cash assistance to a patient at the 50-bed Traditional Medicine Hospital in Sittway yesterday. PHOTO: MNA Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister honours children at Literature Festival in Pathein U Nyi Pu, Chief Minister of Rakhine State, inspected the 50-bed Traditional Medicine Hospital in Sittway yesterday, and provided medical equipment to the hospital. Daw Thein Thein Oo, Head of the Rakhine State Traditional Medicine Department, reported to the chief minister on the organizational set up of the hospital, number of patients receiving treatment at Birds start migrating to Paleik Lake BIRDS have started migrating to Paleik Lake which is a Ramsar region in Singaing Township, Kyaukse District, Mandalay Region, these days. Greylag goose (Wild swans), Asian openbill, Oriental darter and cranes were found among the first group of migrant birds. The lake is home to 37 species of water bird, seven other bird species and eight fish species. According to the surveys conducted in , 30 water bird species, 11 winter bird the hospital, and conditions in the outpatient ward. Following the meeting, Chief Minister U Nyi Pu encouraged the patients and presented cash assistance to them. During the tour of the inspection, the chief minister inspected a mini-library, showcasing books, journals and magazines from the Information and Public Relations Department for patients at the hospital, species and 19 regional bird species were also spotted in the lake. Located about 9.3 miles, southwest of Mandalay and at 89 feet above the sea level, the Paleik Lake is the lake with the largest number of migratory birds in the region. It had an area of hectares in the rainy season. The area and inspected the hospital s kitchen, which is in need of repair. During the trip, the Rakhine State chief minister delivered a set of Sky Net receiver, cash assistance for repairing the kitchen, along with a set of computer for the Department of District Traditional Medicine. Tin Htun(IPRD) (Translated by JT) Migrating cranes arrive in Paleik Lake in Kyaukse District, Mandalay Region for the winter. PHOTO: NWAY NADI (MYITNGE) shrinks to hectares in the summer. According to bird watchers, over 30 species of migratory birds were at the lake last winter season. The majority of the migratory birds come to the Paleik, Pyu and Taungthaman lakes. Nway Nadi (Myitnge) /(Translated by JT) Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister holds up a prize with the U-14 football team in Pathein, Ayeyawady Region yesterday. PHOTO: NAY LIN THE awards ceremony for the Men s U-14 Football Competition and Women s Htote-See- Htoe Competition was held at the sports ground of Pathein University yesterday. Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister U Hla Moe Aung handed over the awards to winners of both competitions, which were included as part of the Children s Literature Festival being held at the university. The Chief Minister and department officials distributed prize money and souvenirs to winners of the Men s U-14 Football Competition. The Hinthada team won first place, Pyapon team won second, Myaungmya team won third and Maubin team won a special prize. The Chief Minister and officials handed over the prize money and souvenirs to winners of the Women s Hote- See-Htoe Competition. In the primary school level contest, the Myaungmya team took first place, Labutta team took second and Hinthada team came in third, while Maubin, Pyapon and Thabaung teams received special prizes. In the middle school level contest, first place went to Labutta, second to Myaungmya, third to Thabaung and special prizes went to Maubin, Hinthada, Pyapon, Phayagyigon and KSP teams. Later, the Chief Minister and officials went to the Jubilee Hall of the university where the Children s Literature Festival was taking place. There they viewed book stalls and cheered as they watched young students compete in the paper-folding (origami), art, and coloring contests. In the afternoon, the Chief Minister and officials awarded the first, second, third and special prizes to young students who participated in the contests earlier in the day, and then took a commemorative photo with them. Thi Thi Min, Min Thit (MNA) (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)

8 OPINION OPINION 8 9 Mutual understanding, constructive cooperation can bring positive outcomes in repatriation process REPATRIATION and resettlement are important responsibilities for those committees that have been working to resolve the Rakhine issue, which has continued for years and is related to Myanmar s politics and security. The first group of over 2,260 displaced persons are to be accepted at a rate of 150 per day, beginning 15 November. We have been prepared to receive them since January 23. The announcement came after the third Joint Working Group Meeting between Myanmar and Bangladesh in Dhaka on 30 October 2018, as the two sides exchanged views and reviewed the repatriation process, including ensuring a conducive environment, safety, security and confidence building for prospective returnees, along with preparation for resettlement, a verification process, the dissemination of information among returnees about the National Verification Card (NVC), involvement of United Nations Agencies, as well as INGOs and... We have sought cooperation from the Bangladesh side to take action against ARSA terrorists, including those verified as terrorists from the list of 8032 persons, previously provided by Bangladesh. international partners in the processes of repatriation, resettlement and reintegration. The Union Government of Myanmar and UN agencies also reached an agreement in June to create conditions that would allow returnees to voluntarily and safely return to Rakhine State. Earlier, Myanmar had repeatedly said that the country attaches great importance to the need to create peace, stability and development in the repatriation process and, therefore, it signed the MoU with UNDP and UNHCR. Myanmar hoped that the undertakings of the UNDP and UNHCR would not only involve repatriation, but also to seek sustainable peace and development in Rakhine State through suggestions and cooperation. At the recent meeting, the two countries also discussed the situation of displaced persons found on Myanmar territory close to the international boundary line between boundary pillars 34 and 35. Myanmar has made concerted efforts and preparations for the repatriation and resettlement process, including the UEHRD's ongoing activities, village plans, construction of villages, livelihood opportunities, education and healthcare services for the returnees, as well as a verification process and the issuance of the National Verification Cards (NVC). We do believe that mutual understanding and constructive cooperation, based on the principles of objectivity, mutual respect and bilateral agreements, will bring about a positive outcome in the repatriation process. Meanwhile, we are facing the threat of terrorist activities which was the initial cause of events leading to the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State. The danger of terrorism remains a real and present danger in Myanmar. Hence, we have sought cooperation from the Bangladesh side to take action against ARSA terrorists, including those verified as terrorists from the list of 8032 persons, previously provided by Bangladesh. National Development will be achieved through Private Sector Development Dialogue titled Nation Building through Ease of Doing Business By Shin Min, Photo by Aye Than Myanma Radio and Television presents the dialogue under the title Nation Building through Ease of Doing Business in which Deputy Minister for Commerce U Aung Htoo, Yangon Electricity Supply Coporation General Manager U Tin Aung, Yangon City Development Committee Secretary Daw Hlaing Maw Oo and Executive U Zeya Thura Mon of Myanmar Chambers of Commerce and Industry are participating. Facilitator: Today s talks will focus on Nation Building through Ease of Doing Business. First of all let us hear on your talks on Ease of Doing Business Index. Deputy Minister: Ease of Doing Business Index is one of the indexes practiced by the international community. It is an index created by a researcher of World Bank in 2002, and was used worldwide in 2004 and thus it is now about 15 years since the use of the index was first seen. Its purpose is to display the higher the ranking in the index, the better for doing businesses. In other words, in doing business there are regulations to be followed. Doing business will be difficult if there is a rigid regulation. Therefore the index was introduced for ensuring ease of doing business by cutting down the red tapes. The higher ranking in the index indicates having a great potential for achieving more success in business, and stronger protection of property rights. In international comparison, the investors put more trust in countries with high ranking index. So, it can be deduced from the fact that high ranking index will surely attract more investment thereby resulting in economic development. Myanmar saw reforms in In making reforms, the private sector plays a vital role in the economic sector of the State. With the aim of progressing the private sector, we have been cooperating in calculating the index after signing MoU with World Bank in World Bank for its part, attached its experts and consultants and gave suggestions on how to improve the index. Myanmar s participation in the index indicates her unwavering commitments to the idea that the State is encouraging businesses run by private sector. We accept the concept that national development will be achieved through private sector development. The State has vowed to improve the index. When started calculating the index, Myanmar stood at the rank of 182. In 2018, the rank improved reaching 171. The Vice-President who is Myanmar s participation in the index indicates her unwavering commitments to the idea that the State is encouraging businesses run by private sector. also the chairman of the Private Sector Development Committee has been giving guidance to improve the index to reach below 100 in In accord with this guidance, we are striving our utmost to improve Ease of Doing Business Index. There is no bias in calculating the index, but objective. We calculate the index based on regulations which are faced in the ten sectors. For example, what is the need for a start-up? First, a company must be established. What amount of capital is needed for a start-up? What steps are to be taken for a start-up? How much time it is needed to register a company? The index is to show the answers. And another thing is that after establishing a company, buildings and warehouses are to be built. Then, what is required to do the job? There needs a construction permission. To obtain permission, what steps are to be taken? What recommendation needs? How much it will cost for applying permission? How much it will take time for the process? The above-mentioned are the example of calculating the index. There are also many other steps. For example, after building Deputy Minister U Aung Htoo (Ministry of Commerce) a warehouse, there needs an electricity. So, there needs to apply for power supply. The fact that whether there is power outage or not contributes to calculating the ease of doing business. There are also other matters concerning property rights. The rights are to be registered at Registration Office. The index will show how to register, how much it will cost and how much time it will take. Capital is needed to run a business. Investing one s own money in the business is one of the ways and means, and getting loans from bank is the other. What is needed to get a loan from the bank? What steps are to be taken? How much time it will take? Is there any Credit Bureau for bank loan? All hese questions are to be considered. Moreover, if we run a business, it may be not invested by a sole person but with stock and shares. In such cases, it is important to include the fact in the index that if a person who buys a share can easily sell or transfer his share or not. There will surely be profits in doing business. Then, tax will follow. Is the process of paying tax is easy or not? There are voices concerning paying tax complaining there is a will to pay tax, but there are many difficulties to continue the process. Regarding these complaints, the question then arises: How to find an easiest way to pay tax? Can we pay tax online? Is it easy to get taxpayer identification number? These answers of these questions are to be considered to include in the index. Exports and Imports are parts in doing business. Such questions as how difficult to get a license for export and import, what difficulties may be faced for logistics of the goods, how much time it will take and how much it will cost are considered in the index. Last but not least, I would like to mention the covenants we make. We also make agreements and we need to abide by the agreements. Again, the questions then arise: what kind of actions will be taken against those who breach the agreements? how much time it will take? They are also included in the index. When we look at the business process, we can see that there may be profits or losses. The loss can be dub bankruptcy. If a person is bankrupt, the firm has to be gone into liquidation. What is the process for declaring bankruptcy? How much time the process will take? To take such actions, it needs to consider if there is a bankruptcy law or not. Therefore, the index means how easily we can take steps in the above-mentioned ten sectors from the start of a business to liquidation. Countries with higher index in the ease of doing business will have more potentials for economic development. Increase in the business will surely bring about economic development. With this end in view, the state is trying hard to promote the rank in ease of doing business index while in comparison with others in the international community. Business score is another methodology in the ease of doing business index in addition to ranking. For example, in our schools 100 marks is the highest marks of a subject. A student can pass his exam if he gets 40 marks. He will have credit if he gets 80 marks. There also is such a system in ease of doing business index. Although there is not a rise in ranking there may be a rise in score. For example, Myanmar won over 44 scores in That means she got the passing score but not had the credit. If we look at the nations in the Asia-Pacific region, their average scores are over 60. As we are the member of the region we need to try hard to get over 60 from over 40. I would like to express here is that it is better to have credit with over 80. New Zealand is currently topping the 2018 list of ease of doing business index in. The first runner-up is Singapore. Malaysia stands at 24; Thailand, 26; Brunei, 56; Vietnam, 68; Indonesia, 72; the Philippines, 113; Cambodia, 135; and Laos, 141. As mentioned above, Myanmar stands at 171. As we retain the lowest point comparing with them, we need to try hard as there are many opportunities for us. (To be continued) (Translated by Wallace) Appointment of Ambassador agreed THE Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has agreed to the appointment of Mr. Ahmed Abdulla Ahmed Alharmasi Alhajeri as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar with residence in Bangkok. Mr. Ahmed Abdulla Ahmed Alharmasi Alhajeri got a Bachelor of Law from the Mohamed V University (Morocco) in Since 1986, he started serving at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. From , he served in different positions at the Embassy of Bahrain in China, Kuwait, France and the United Arab Emirates respectively. In 2003, he served as the Head of Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain. From , he served as the Plenipotentiary Minister at the Embassy of Bahrain in Russian. In 2011, he was the Acting Director of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bahrain. He was appointed as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Thailand in He is fluent in English and French. MNA Myanmar Daily Weather Report (Issued on Monday 5 November 2018) SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS RECORDED AT 09:30 hrs MST: During the past (24) hours, rain or thundershowers have been isolated in Taninthayi Region and Kachin State and weather has been partly cloudy in Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway regions, Shan, Chin and Rakhine states and generally fair in the remaining regions and states. Night temperatures were (3 C) to (4 C) below November average temperatures in Yangon Region, (Northern and Eastern)Shan and Kayah states, (2 C) below November average temperatures in Bago and Ayeyawady regions and Southern Shan State and about November average temperatures in the remaining regions and states. The significant night temperatures were (7 C) Haka, (9 C)each in Hsipaw and Heho. The noteworthy amounts of rainfall recorded were Putao (0.24)inch, Kawthoung (0.12)inch and Machanbaw (0.04)inch. BAY INFERENCE: Weather is a few cloud over the North Bay and partly cloudy to cloudy over the Andaman Sea and elsewhere in the Bay of Bengal. FORECAST VALID UNTIL AFTERNOON OF 6 November 2018: Rain or thundershowers will be isolated in Upper Sagaing and Taninthayi regions, Kachin State. Degree of certainty is (80%). Weather will be partly cloudy in Lower Sagaing, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady regions and generally fair in the remaining regions and states. STATE OF THE SEA: Sea will be slight to moderate in Myanmar waters. Wave height will be about (3-6) feet off and along Myanmar Coasts. OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Likelihood of isolated light rain in Upper Sagaing and Taninthayi regions and Kachin State. FORECAST FOR NAY PYI TAW AND NEIGHBOURING AREA FOR 6 November 2018: Generally fair weather. FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING AREA FOR 6 November 2018: Generally fair weather. FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING AREA FOR 6 November 2018: Generally fair weather.

9 10 WORLD Saudi, allies say committed to de-escalating Yemen conflict ADEN (Yemen) Saudi Arabia and its allies said on Monday they are committed to de-escalating hostilities in Yemen, only days after launching a renewed offensive on a port crucial for humanitarian aid. The coalition is committed to de-escalating hostilities in Yemen and is strongly supportive of the UN envoy s political process, a source in the Saudi-led coalition told AFP on condition of anonymity. Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in the conflict in 2015, aiming to bolster the standing of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi as he fought an insurgency by the Shiite Huthis from northern Yemen. On Thursday, the Saudi-led alliance restarted its military campaign to capture Hodeida, the rebel-held Red Sea city that is home to a strategic port. It had suspended the offensive ahead of UN efforts to hold peace talks in Geneva that eventually collapsed in September. The UN-sponsored process This image grab taken from a AFPTV video shows Yemeni pro-government forces firing a heavy machine gun at the south of Hodeida airport, in Yemen s Hodeida province on 15 June, PHOTO: AFP fell apart after the rebels refused to travel to the Swiss city unless the United Nations guaranteed both their delegation s safe return to Sanaa and the evacuation of wounded fighters. The UN envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, now hopes to schedule talks between the government and the Huthis this month. Government coalition warplanes carried out dozens of air strikes on Sunday to support pro-government forces in fighting that appears to be edging further into Hodeida, approaching the city s main university. Dozens dead Dozens of rebels and soldiers were killed in battles and the raids, according to sources in hospitals across the areas. The source in the Saudi-led coalition said the current clashes were not offensive operations, adding that the alliance was committed to keeping the Hodeida port open. If the Huthis fail to show up for peace talks again, this might lead (us) to restart the offensive operation in Hodeida, the source said. The humanitarian situation in Yemen is unacceptable. We are committed to ending the conflict as soon as possible. If the Huthis show up, we will continue our humanitarian efforts, he said. If they don t, we will also continue those efforts. The UN children s fund, UNICEF, on Sunday warned an assault on Hodeida city would jeopardise the lives of Yemenis across the country who depend on its port for humanitarian aid. The World Health Organization estimates nearly 10,000 people have been killed since the Saudi-led camp joined the war in Human rights groups say the toll could be five times higher. Fourteen million people now stand at the brink of famine in Yemen, which the United Nations has called the world s worst humanitarian crisis. AFP Iran vows to proudly bypass US sanctions TEHRAN (Iran) Iran s President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic republic will proudly bypass sanctions by the United States that took effect on Monday targeting the country s oil and financial sectors. I announce that we will proudly bypass your illegal, unjust sanctions because it s against international regulations, Rouhani said in a televised speech. We are in a situation of economic war, confronting a bullying power. I don t think that in the history of America, someone has entered the White House who is so against law and international conventions, he added. The measures described by Washington as the toughest sanctions ever follow US President Donald Trump s controversial decision in May to abandon the multi-nation nuclear deal with Tehran. The latest tranche aim to significantly cut Iran s oil exports which have already fallen by around one million barrels a day since May and cut it off from international finance. The United States has given temporary exemptions to eight countries including India, Japan and Turkey to continue buying oil in a bid to avoid disturbing their economies and global markets. But US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed to push Iran s oil sales to zero. Watch what we do. Watch as we ve already taken more crude oil off the market than any time in previous history, he told CBS s Face the Nation on Sunday. Trump s administration says it wants a new deal with Iran that curbs its interventions around the Middle East and missile programme demands that have been flatly rejected by Tehran. Constantly they are sending us messages saying Let s sit and negotiate. Negotiations for what? said Rouhani. First, you respect the negotiations we already concluded, so that there are grounds for the next negotiations. Act on your commitments Rouhani said four countries had approached him during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly in September, offering to mediate with the US but he turned them down. There is no need for mediation. There is no need for all these messages. Act on your commitments, and we will sit and talk, he said. Iran s economy was already suffering from major structural problems including major banking issues before Trump walked out of the nuclear deal. But Trump s announcement in May helped fuel a run on Iran s currency that has seen the rial lose more than two thirds of its value, driving up prices and forcing the government to resort to food handouts for the country s poor. Rouhani came to power in 2013, vowing to rebuild ties with the world and attract billions of dollars in foreign investment. The other parties to the nuclear deal Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia have all vehemently opposed the US move and vowed to keep trade going, though they are struggling to convince private companies to stand up to US pressure. Most of the international firms who lined up to work in Iran after the 2015 deal have been forced to leave, including France s Total, Peugeot and Renault, Germany s Siemens. Today, it s not just us who are angry with America s policies. Even European companies and governments are angry with America s policies, said Rouhani. AFP Khashoggi killing: sons ask Saudis to return his body WASHINGTON (United States) The sons of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi have asked Saudi authorities to return the body of their father so the family can properly grieve, they told CNN in an interview aired on Sunday. Khashoggi was killed inside the kingdom s consulate in Istanbul by a team sent from Riyadh on 2 October, a murder Turkey s president said was ordered from the highest levels of Saudi Arabia s government. I really hope that whatever happened wasn t painful for him, or it was quick. Or he had a peaceful death, Abdullah Khashoggi told the US network during the interview in Washington. His brother Salah said all what we want right now is to bury him in Al Baqi in Medina with the rest of his family, referencing a cemetery in Saudi Arabia. I talked about that with the Saudi authorities and I just hope that it happens soon. Turkey s chief prosecutor said recently that Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the consulate and also confirmed the body was dismembered. Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, hinted in an article published on Friday that the body may even have been destroyed in acid. Khashoggi s killing has provoked widespread outrage and sharp criticism from Washington, usually the staunchest of allies. Khashoggi s sons voiced worry that the work of their father, a columnist for The Washington Post, was being distorted for political reasons. I see a lot of people coming out right now and trying to claim his legacy and unfortunately some of them are using that in a political way that we totally don t agree with, Salah told CNN. My fear is that it s being over politicized. Jamal was never a dissident. He believed in the monarchy, that it is the thing that is keeping the country together. The brothers said they have relied primarily on news reports to piece together an understanding of their father s death. There s a lot of ups and downs... We re trying to get the story bits and pieces of the story to complete the whole picture, Abdullah said. It s confusing and difficult. AFP

10 Nobel laureates seek guarantees to reliable information WORLD 11 PARIS (France) A group of 25 leading thinkers, including Nobel laureates, issued a declaration on Monday calling for guaranteed rights to reliable information in the internet age. Economists Amartya Sen and Joseph Stiglitz, Iranian lawyer and rights campaigner Shirin Ebadi and writer Mario Vargas Llosa are among the signatories to the International Declaration on Information and Democracy. We urge leaders of good will on all continents to take action to promote democratic models and an open public debate in which citizens can take decisions on the basis of facts, the group said in a statement. The global information and communication space, they argued, was a common good which must be protected in order to facilitate the exercise of freedom of expression and opinion. Added the group: Human beings have a fundamental right to receive information that is freely gathered, processed and disseminated, according to the principles of commitment to truth, plurality of viewpoints and rational methods of establish facts. The document called for support from world leaders including US President Donald Trump, a frequent critic of what he calls fake news but himself regularly accused of distorting the facts. World leaders should take a stand on the matter when they gather for a November Peace Forum in Paris, the signatories urged. The declaration was drawn up over two months under the direction of Ebadi and Christophe Deloire, head of Reporters Without Borders, a Paris-based organisation defending press freedom and journalists rights. Other signatories include former Senegalese president Abdou Diouf, Chinese lawyer and human rights activist Teng Biao, and political scientist Francis Fukuyama. AFP Tu-160 bomber. PHOTO: TASS Russia tests new methods of warship-aircraft interoperability in Mediterranean drills MOSCOW The newest methods of navy-aviation interoperability were tested in the Ocean Shield drills in the Mediterranean Sea that also involved strategic Tu-160 missile-carrying bombers and A-50 airborne radar early warning and guidance systems, Russian Defence Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said on 2 November. Let us sum up the results of the Ocean Shield drills that were held in early September in the Mediterranean Sea. This exercise was held at such a distance from Russia for the first time in the country s modern history, Shoigu stressed. The drills practiced measures for a multi-service grouping of forces and troops to prepare for and conduct combat operations, the defence minister said. During the drills, the newest tactical techniques and methods of the operation of shipborne forces and aviation were tested, Shoigu said. The warships of Russia s Northern and Baltic Fleets made a voyage to a distance of over 4,500 km while Caspian Flotilla ships passed through the Volga-Don Canal and the Black Sea Straits from the Caspian Sea, he said. Naval aviation aircraft flew from Northern, Baltic and Crimean aerodromes to the Hmeymim airbase, covering a distance of over 5,000 km. Strategic Tu-160 missile-carrying bombers, A-50 airborne radar early warning and guidance systems and Il-78 aerial refueling tankers of Russia s Aerospace Force were involved in the drills, the defense chief said. Tass Pompeo says he will meet N Korea number two in New York WASHINGTON (United States) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday he will meet this week in New York with North Korea s number two to discuss denuclearization and a possible second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. I expect we ll make some real progress, including an effort to make sure that the summit between our two leaders can take place where we can make substantial steps toward denuclearization, Pompeo said on CBS s Face the Nation. Pompeo s meeting with Kim Yong Chol later this week comes with the two sides at loggerheads nearly five months after a historic summit in June in which Trump and Kim pledged to work toward the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. North Korea s foreign ministry warned earlier in the week that Pyongyang will seriously consider reviving its nuclear weapons program unless US sanctions are lifted. Pompeo dismissed the statement, telling Fox News Sunday, I m not worried about that. We are very focused. We know with whom we are negotiating, we know what their positions (are) and President Trump has made his position very clear, Pompeo said. He added that there would be no economic relief until we have achieved our ultimate objective. News of the meeting, and the possibility of another summit, also comes just two days before crucial US midterm elections seen as a referendum on Trump. Trump has often pointed to the detente with North Korea the subject of saber-rattling rhetoric and soaring tensions early in his term as a signature foreign policy accomplishment. Pompeo emphasized in both television appearances that there have been no missile or nuclear tests since the summit in Singapore, and remains of US troops killed during the Korean War have been returned. We ve had success in just a handful of months since this past June, and we continue to make good progress. I m confident that we ll advance the ball again this week when I m in New York City, he said on CBS. Slow progress But the progress has fallen well short of the promise of the summit, with Washington pushing to maintain sanctions US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. PHOTO: AFP against the North until its final, fully verified denuclearization, and Pyongyang condemning US demands as gangster-like. The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible, said the foreign ministry statement, released under the name of the director of the foreign ministry s Institute for American Studies. What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply, it added. Kim Yong Chol, Pompeo s counterpart in the talks, is a general, a former top intelligence chief and right-hand man to the North Korean leader. He visited the White House in the diplomatic run-up to the Singapore summit, and has been Pompeo s chief interlocutor in the months since. In mid-october, Pompeo evoked the possibility of a second summit, preceded by talks with Kim Yong Chol. We re working on finding dates and times and places that will work for each of the two leaders, Pompeo said at the time. AFP

11 12 WORLD N Korean leader meets Cuban president in Pyongyang SEOUL (South Korea) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with visiting Cuban president in Pyongyang and discussed crucial issues of common concern on the current international situation, the North s state media reported on Monday. The visit by Miguel Diaz-Canel comes amid stalled talks between North Korea and the United States and only days after Washington imposed fresh economic restrictions on Cuba. Washington s ties with Havana were fully restored in 2015 after more than half a century of enmity, but have deteriorated since President Donald Trump took office. Communist Cuba is one of North Korea s few remaining allies. There was an in-depth exchange of views on the crucial issues of common concern... on the international situation and a consensus of views on all issues was reached, said the official KCNA news agency. Diaz-Canel was greeted by Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju at the Pyongyang International Airport on Sunday, KCNA reported, where he was given a 21-gun salute and later attended a banquet and enjoyed a special welcoming concert with them. Giving a toast at the banquet, Kim said his meeting with the Cuban leader marked a watershed in demonstrating the will to carry forward forever the friendship between the two countries. In response, Diaz-Canel said he was willing to meet all challenges by the hostile forces while carrying forward their traditional friendly and cooperative relations, according to KCNA. Diaz-Canel took office in April in a historic transition of power on the Caribbean island, succeeding Raul Castro, who took over from his elder brother Fidel, father of the 1959 revolution. Communist Cuba is one of North Korea s few remaining allies. PHOTO: AFP Fidel Castro visited North Korea in 1986 to meet founder-leader Kim Il-Sung, and Pyongyang held three days of official mourning when Castro died in November North Korea sent a delegation led by Choe Ryong-Hae, a senior aide to its leader Kim Jong Un, to Havana for Castro s funeral. Cuba in the past has flouted international sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme. In 2013 Panama seized a North Korean ship carrying an undeclared Cuban arms shipment of Soviet-era weapons and fighter jets hidden under sacks of sugar. North Korea insisted the weapons were being shipped for repair, prior to their return. AFP S Korean warships visit Japan port after row over wartime flag NAGASAKI Three South Korean warships made a goodwill visit on Monday to a southwestern Japan port following a bilateral spat last month over Seoul s demand that Tokyo refrain from flying at a naval review the rising sun flag used during World War II. The vessels, including the 4,400-ton destroyer Dae Jo Yeong, were welcomed at the Maritime Self Defence Force s Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture, marking the first arrival of the country s warships at a Japanese port since Tokyo withdrew from the review held off Jeju Island in October over the flag row. Referring to various security challenges faced by the two countries, Vice Adm. Satoshi Kikuchi said at a welcoming ceremony, It is important to promote mutual understanding and build trust to effectively deal with the issues. The South Korean fleet is scheduled to leave Sasebo on Thursday. The rising sun flag was used by the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy during World War II, and is thus regarded in South Korea and China as a symbol of Japan s wartime aggression. In August, South Korea told Japan and other countries that their warships should only fly their national flag and that of South Korea during the international event. Tokyo cancelled its participation, claiming Seoul s request was unacceptable. It maintains the rising sun flag has long been recognized under international law as indicating a vessel belongs to Japan, and MSDF ships are required to fly the flag under Japanese domestic law. Kyodo News South Korean destroyer Dae Jo Yeong visits a port at the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force s Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan on 5 November, PHOTO: KYODO NEWS Radar probes mass graves from Khmer Rouge era PREY VENG (Cambodia) A man walks gingerly over a small field in rural Cambodia, pushing a lawnmower-like contraption that deploys ground-penetrating radar to unearth clues of mass graves. The pilot project is twinning technology and fieldwork to locate remains of victims of the Khmer Rouge, the ultra-maoist regime whose quest to build an agrarian utopia from left an estimated two million Cambodians dead. Hacked to death, starved, overworked or ravaged by illness, their bodies were dumped in hastily dug pits all over the country. They were thrown in rice paddies, down caves and on the grounds of Buddhist monasteries. Many of the Killing Fields have been logged, providing experts with an estimate of 20,000 mass graves which is defined as a pit containing four or more bodies throughout the country. But researchers are now turning to radar to uncover more details on the existing sites such as how many bodies they might contain and find new ones. This is the first time ever that we have used high-end technology in Cambodia to locate mass graves created by the Khmer Rouge, said Pheng Pong-Rasy from the Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC- Cam), which is overseeing the effort. He added that DC-Cam decided to start the new search in the eastern province of Prey Veng, where the Khmer Rouge s revolutionary movement had some of its early gains. The children must know their own history, what happened in their location, he said. They began in late October next to buildings at Mesang High School specifically plots close to some concrete toilets and an outdoor cafeteria. The area was once a worship site but the Khmer Rouge converted it into a place for executions. After the regime fell a school was built nearby. Students and residents helped clear the overgrown area and operators from SparrowHawk Far East, a new Phnom Penh-based company tapped to test out the idea, walked over it sending radar signals below that can later be developed into three-dimensional images. AFP

12 Antarctic parasite could affect food chains, from plankton to whales SYDNEY Australian scientists discovery of a tiny parasite in far greater numbers than previously believed, could change how scientists think about Antarctic food chains, local media reported on Monday. The syndiniales parasite is a microscopic organism which exists in water samples from areas of the world s oceans in numbers of about 1 per cent of marine life. However, in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, researchers from the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) have found the plankton-killing parasite in unprecedented levels - up to 50 per cent of living matter in samples. Dr Bruce Deagle from the AAD said the discovery changes experts understanding of those Southern ecosystems which has previously failed to factor in the parasite s influence. An iceberg in the western Antarctic Peninsula where krill populations vital food source for seals, whales and penguins are declining. PHOTO: AFP We ve sort of been modelling these populations and looking at the ecosystems without including parasites as a variable, and the impact of those parasites, Deagle said. The syndiniales parasite exists inside phytoplankton and once it has infected a cell, will eventually kill it, while the cell will burst, and go on to infect other cells. Because krill rely on plankton for food, and whales and other animals feed on the krill, the presence of the parasite may have unknown effects on the broader food chain structures of the cold Southern waters. All of those larger organisms do depend on the energy that s coming from the phytoplankton, Deagle said. This (research) is providing a new factor that really does affect the productivity of that whole ecosystem and the base of the food web - so exactly how that impacts is something that we are going to have to find out. Xinhua 5.9-magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan s Hokkaido: USGS ENVIRONMENT Palau plans sunscreen ban to save coral WELLINGTON (New Zeland) The tiny Pacific island nation of Palau will ban reef-toxic sunscreens from 2020 in what it claims is a world-first initiative to stop chemical pollution killing its famed corals. Palau, which lies in the western Pacific about halfway between Australia and Japan, is regarded as one of the world s best diving destinations, but the government is concerned its popularity is coming at a cost. A spokesman for President Tommy Remengesau said there was scientific evidence that the chemicals found in most sunscreens are toxic to corals, even in minute doses. He said Palau s dive sites typically hosted about four boats an hour packed with tourists, leading to concerns a buildup of chemicals could see 13 the reefs reach tipping point. On any given day that equates to gallons of sunscreen going into the ocean in Palau s famous dive spots and snorkelling places, he told AFP. We re just looking at what we can do to prevent pollution getting into the environment. The government has passed a law banning reef-toxic sunscreen from 1 January, Anyone importing or selling banned sunscreen from that date faces a $1,000 fine, while tourists who bring it into the country will have it confiscated. The power to confiscate sunscreens should be enough to deter their non-commercial use, and these provisions walk a smart balance between educating tourists and scaring them away, Remengesau told parliament after the bill passed last week. AFP TOKYO (Japan) A shallow 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan s northern island of Hokkaido on Monday, the US Geological Survey said. The moderate quake hit at a depth of eight kilometres (five miles), 107 kilometres northeast of Shibetsu. USGS said there was a low likelihood of casualties and damage. It comes after a powerful 6.6-magnitude quake in September rocked Hokkaido, triggering landslides, collapsing houses and killing more than 40. Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year. But rigid building codes and strict enforcement mean even strong tremors often do little damage. AFP Palau is to introduce the world s first ban on sunscreen chemicals to protect its famed corals. PHOTO: AFP CLAIM S DAY NOTICE M.V MCC HALONG VOY. NO. (1827/1828) Consignees of cargo carried on M.V MCC HALONG VOY. NO. (1827/1828) are hereby notified that the vessel will be arriving on and cargo will be discharged into the premises of M.I.T.T/M.I.P where it will lie at the consignee s risk and expenses and subject to the byelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon. Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim s Day now declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo from the Vessel. No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the Claims Day. SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENT MYANMA PORT AUTHORITY AGENT FOR: M/S MCC TRANSPORT (S PORE) PTE LTD Phone No: CLAIM S DAY NOTICE M.V MCP LONDON Consignees of cargo carried on M.V MCP LONDON VOY. NO. (-) are hereby notified that the vessel will be arriving on and cargo will be discharged into the premises of S.P.W-7 where it will lie at the consignee s risk and expenses and subject to the byelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon. Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim s Day now declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo from the Vessel. No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the Claims Day. SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENT MYANMA PORT AUTHORITY AGENT FOR: M/S BEN LINE AGENCIES (SINGAPORE) PTE, LTD Phone No: CLAIM S DAY NOTICE M.V BBC MARYLAND Consignees of cargo carried on M.V BBC MARYLAND are hereby notified that the vessel will be arriving on and cargo will be discharged into the premises of M.I.T.T-5 where it will lie at the consignee s risk and expenses and subject to the byelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon. Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim s Day now declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo from the Vessel. No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the Claims Day. SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENT MYANMA PORT AUTHORITY AGENT FOR: M/S BEN LINE (SINGAPORE) PTE., LTD Phone No:

13 14 SOCIAL Camila Cabello leads MTV Europe award nods MADRID (Spain) With six nominations, US singer Camila Cabello, whose hit song Havana reached the top of the US charts in January, is in prime position for the MTV Europe Music Awards held Sunday in Spain. Best song, best video, best artist... The 21-year-old Cuba-born singer is riding high, fresh from winning prestigious prizes at the MTV Video Music Awards in August artist of the year and video of the year. Her album Camila also reached the top of US charts in January, and the audio version of Havana, which features rapper Young Thug, has had more than 1.3 billion hits on YouTube. Last year the former member of the band Fifth Harmony was also named best pop artist at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA). Next up at the awards in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao are singer Ariana Grande and rapper Post Malone with five nominations, followed by Canadian artist Drake and Britain s Dua Lipa with four. Canadian singer Shawn Mendes, winner of three prizes in 2017, was nominated for three awards this year. Cabello s Havana, Grande s No tears left to cry, Post Malone s Rockstar, Drake s God s Plan and Bebe Rexha s Meant to be are all competing for best song. French DJ David Guetta, up for best electronic artist, and Nicki Minaj, competing in the hip hop category, will perform at the show which starts at 9 pm (2000 GMT). US actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld will host. Bebe Rexha, Jason Derulo, Rosalia, Panic! at the Disco are also set to perform. Created in 1994, the MTV EMA are one of two major shows organised by MTV, with its Video Music Awards held in the United States since AFP The evening s major awards, the Video and Artist of the Year trophies went to Camila Cabello and her hit Havana. PHOTO: AFP Endangered Australian marsupial enduring despite raised predator threat CANBERRA The population of Australia s bilbies has been holding steady despite a rising threat from natural predators, a survey has found. Rangers across Australia s deserts involved in the Bilby Blitz program have spent six months surveying 248 areas of land in the Northern Territory and Western Australia for traces of the greater bilby and its predators. Richard Moyle, the Central Land Council s land management officer, confirmed that rangers found evidence of bilby activity in 58 of the areas. Everyone loves a bilby, they re cute, they re furry so they have that appeal, Moyle told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Sunday. They re a bit of a flagship species in that if you can preserve the bilby, you preserve the habitat (and) get rid of the threats which are fairly common across arid Australia. The greater bilby, also known as the rabbit-bandicoot is a desert-dwelling marsupial native to Australia that grows to 55 centimeters in length on average excluding its tail. The lesser bilby was declared extinct in the 1950s. The species has largely been wiped out by feral cats, foxes, weeds and fire. Moyle said rangers found evidence of feral cats in 111 of the search areas and foxes in 50 of them. Bilby Blitz was launched by Threatened Species Commissioner Sally Box in March to connect indigenous rangers with their non-indigenous peers. By connecting the two groups, the program is able to benefit from ancient indigenous methods of tracking bilbies as well as modern technology such as motion-activated cameras and a smartphone application to log evidence of activity. The app can be set to English or two common indigenous languages to accommodate the traditional rangers. That helps indigenous rangers whose levels of education are varied to be able to have significant input in a scientific way of collecting data, Moyle said. Xinhua TOKYO World-renowned Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami said on Sunday he will donate manuscripts of his books as well as vinyl records for an archive at Waseda University. Nothing would make me happier if such a facility were of use to those who want to study my works, whether Japanese or foreigners, said Murakami in a very rare appearance in a press conference. I hope it will be the start of an exchange not just of my works but also of cultures. My experience of translating has helped my writing. I feel strongly that language interactions have helped me grow, said Murakami, who graduated from the university in I would have suffocated if I was only engaged in Japanese literature. The 69-year-old said he has considered other places, including foreign universities he has worked in, as archive sites for his documents but said he chose the Japanese university because it is the school he graduated from and felt right. After nearly 40 years of writing, there is hardly any space to put the documents such as manuscripts, related articles, whether at my home or at my office. I don t have a child so I was also worried that they may be scattered after my death, Murakami said, adding that keeping them in one location is also convenient. Murakami said he will also donate letters he exchanged with other authors and translated works to the Tokyo institution, Haruki Murakami to donate manuscripts, vinyl records to Waseda University possibly also a manuscript of his popular novel Norwegian Wood that he wrote in notebooks, if he can find them. He also expressed hope to launch a scholarship for researchers. The press conference, the first held by Murakami in Japan in 37 years, took place as the novelist, previously known to have avoided the spotlight, has been increasing his public appearances in recent months, including debuting as a radio show host in August. I felt that the donation (of my archives) was very important to me so I thought I needed to properly explain, Murakami said, when asked about the reason for holding the press conference. In the envisioned facility to house his documents, Murakami said if possible he wants to organize a concert using his collection of vinyl records totaling more than 10,000. Murakami, who opened a cafe for jazz enthusiasts in Tokyo while still a student at Waseda University, has said music is an essential component of his career in literature. The Japanese author s novels, translated into more than 50 languages, have become a global phenomenon, propelling him to the status of likely contender for the Nobel Prize in literature. Murakami has won several literary prizes, including the Franz Kafka Prize in 2006, the Jerusalem Prize in 2009 and the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award for Kyodo News Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami (r) is pictured with Waseda University President Kaoru Kamata in Tokyo on 4 November, PHOTO: KYODO NEWS

14 Pets can tell time: study CHICAGO A study from Northwestern University (NU) has found some of the clearest evidence that animals can judge time. By examining the brain s medial entorhinal cortex, the researchers discovered a previously unknown set of neurons that turn on like a clock when an animal is waiting. NU researchers set up an experiment called the virtual door stop task. In the experiment, a mouse runs on a physical treadmill in a virtual reality environment. The mouse learns to run down a hallway to a door that is located about halfway down the track. After six seconds, the door opens, allowing the mouse to continue down the hallway to receive its reward. After running several training sessions, researchers made the door invisible in the virtual reality scene. In the new scenario, the mouse still knew where the now-invisible door was located based on the floor s changing textures. And it still waited six seconds at the door before abruptly racing down the track to collect its reward. The important point here is that the mouse doesn t know when the door is open or closed because it s invisible, said James Heys, a postdoctoral fellow at NU and the study s first author. The only way he can solve this task efficiently is by using his brain s internal sense of time. NU researchers took the experiment one step further by imaging the mice s brain activity. Using two-photon microscopy, which allows advanced, high-resolution imaging of the brain, they watched the mice s neurons fire. As the animals run along the track and get to the invisible door, we see the cells firing that control spatial encoding, said Daniel Dombeck, an associate professor of neurobiology in NU s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Then, when the animal stops at the door, we see those cells turned off and a new set of cells turn on. This was a big surprise and a new discovery. Not only are the cells active during rest, he said, but they actually encode how much time the animal has been resting. The researchers have found these new time-encoding neurons, now they can study how neurodegenerative diseases might affect this set of cells. Xinhua SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Skin cancer deaths rates soar, mostly for men: Study PARIS Skin cancer deaths among men have soared in wealthy nations since 1985, with mortality rates among women rising more slowly or even declining, researchers told a medical conference in Glasgow on 4 November. Reasons for the discrepancy between sexes are unclear, but evidence suggests men are less likely to protect themselves from the sun or heed public health warnings, lead researcher Dorothy Yang, a doctor at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust in London, told AFP. More than 90 per cent of melanoma cancers are caused by skin cell damage from exposure to the sun or other sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation such as tanning beds, according to the US Centres for Disease Control (CDC). In eight of 18 countries examined, men s skin cancer death rates increased over three decades by at least 50 per cent. In two nations Ireland and Croatia it roughly doubled. Also seeing a sharp jump were Spain and Britain (70 per cent), The Netherlands (60 per cent), as well as France and Belgium (50 per cent). In the United States, which was not included in the study, Evidence suggests men are less likely to protect themselves from the sun or heed public health warnings, researchers said. PHOTO: AFP male melanoma mortality went up by about 25 per cent, according to CDC statistics. But the nations with the biggest rise in skin cancer deaths were often not with the most elevated mortality rates, the new research showed. OZONE HOLE SILVER LINING In Australia, for example, nearly six of every 100,000 men succumbed to the disease in That is twice the second-highest death rate (Finland), but only a 10 per cent increase compared to 30 years earlier. Australia has been an early implementer of public health media campaigns since the 1970s to promote sun-smart behaviour, Dr Yang told AFP by phone before presenting her data at the 2018 UK National Cancer Research Institute Conference. While debate continues as to how much of Australia s record skin cancer rate stems from depletion of UV-filtering ozone in the stratosphere, 30 years of public health campaigns have no doubt made Australians acutely aware of the dangers. The so-called ozone hole was especially big over Australia when the efforts kicked off. Skin cancer deaths among women in 1985 in Australia occurred at half the rate as for men, and declined by 10 per cent over the next 30 years, Dr Yang and three colleagues reported China VEX Robotics Competition held in Shanghai Contestants attend the 2018 China VEX Robotics Competition, which is also the qualification trials of VEX Robotics World Championship 2018, at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, east China on 3 November, Nearly 2,000 students across the country participated in the trials. PHOTO: XINHUA 15 Other countries where female mortality from the disease went down over the same period are Austria (nine per cent), the Czech Republic (16 per cent), and Israel (23 per cent). In several other nations Romania, Sweden and Britain there were slight increases. In some other sun-loving nations, however, women saw at least as sharp a jump from 1985 to 2015 in death rates as men: The Netherlands (58 per cent), Ireland (49 per cent), Belgium (67 per cent) and Spain (74 per cent). Japan has by far the lowest melanoma mortality, for both men and women, at 0.24 and 0.18 per 100,000, respectively. AFP

15 16 SPORT 6 NOVEMBER 2018 Myanmar wins six gold medal at 7 th South East Asian Open Championship MFF to assign Takuma to handle Myanmar U-15 MYANMAR has thus far won six gold, three silver and four bronze medals at the 7th South East Asian Open Archery Championship-2018, running from 3 to 7 November at Kyaikkasan archery field in Yangon. On the third day of the championship, held yesterday, Myanmar s Pyae Sone Hnin placed second in the Women s 70-meter Recurve round, after losing 6-9 against Hong Kong s Lee Shuk Kwan, who placed first, while Sandar Oo took fourth place for Myanmar after yielding 9-10 to Hong Kong s Cheng Chin Yi, who placed third. In the Men s 70-meter Recurve round, Myanmar s Htike Lin Oo took third place, while MD. Emdadul Haque Milon from Bangladesh placed first and Denchai Thepna finished second. In other competitions, Myanmar s San Nu Lwin won a gold medal and placed first in the Women s 70-meter Recurve round, while Thida Nwe and Khin Lay Lwin won silver and bronze medals, placing first, second and third, respectively. They were awarded their medals by the Vice President of World Archery and President Myanmar women s archer aims at shooting the target. PHOTO: MNA of SEAFF, Sanguan Kosavinta. In the Men s 70-meter Recurve round, Kaung Khant Maw won the first-place gold medal and Nay Lin Oo won third-place bronze, while a Thai contestant won the second-place silver. They were awarded their medals by President of SEAFF and Honorary Patron of Myanmar Archery Foundation Dr. Khin Shwe. In the Men s 50-meter Compound round, Myanmar s Zin Thurein Hmue won a gold medal, while Hong Kong competitors took the silver and bronze. They were awarded by Myanmar Archery Association Chairman U Zay Thiha. In the Women s Team 50-meter Compound Round, Myanmar placed second, while Thailand placed first and Hong Kong second. They were awarded by Vice President and Secretary General of SEAFF Maji. (Rtd) Baharuddi Jamil. In the Mixed Team 70-meter Recurve round, the gold and bronze medals were won by Myanmar s Team A and Team B, respectively, while the silver medal went to Team Thailand. They were awarded by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Sports, U Kyaw Oo. In the Men s Team 50-meter Compound round, first place went to Hong Kong, second to Myanmar and third to Laos. They were awarded by Judge Chairman of World Archery ASSA Mr. Frankie Hong Mouswi. In the Mixed Team 70-meter Recurve round, Myanmar s Team A and Team B won gold and bronze, respectively, while Team Bangladesh won silver. They were awarded by Patron of Myanmar Women s Sports Federation Daw Nan Aye Khine. In the Mixed Team 50-meter Compound round, the first, second and third ranks went to Myanmar, Laos and Hong Kong, respectively. They were awarded by Vice Chairman of Myanmar Archery Federation U Tauk Tun. The competitions will continue in Kyaikkasan archery ground at 8am today. MNA (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo) MYANMAR Football Federation (MFF) will assign Mr Takuma, who is discharging coaching duties at Myanmar Football Academy (Mandalay) to steer Myanmar U-15 as the head coach, said a source of Myanmar Football Federation. U Nyi Nyi Latt, who is currently assuming coaching duties for Myanmar U-15 and Myanmar U-16, has responsibility for forming Myanmar-15 and Myanmar U-16 teams up into Myanmar U-18 and so he is unlikely to handle Myanmar U-15. For that reason, the MFF decided to assign Takuma who arrived in Myanmar earlier than two other Japanese coaches. The MFF already appointed three Japanese as coaches for Yangon Football Academy, Mandalay Football Academy and Pathein Academy. Mr Takuma steered Myanmar U-14 last year. He would pick the brilliant players who were showing best form in MFF U-14 Football Tournament. Myanmar U-15 will be constituted with more than 30 players at the end of this year. Myanmar U-15 is aimed at participating in the World Cup U-17. Myanmar U-15 will take part in 2019 ASEAN U-15 Championship to be held in Thailand from 27 July to 9 August in Htut Htut (Twantay) Mayweather to face Japan kickboxer Nasukawa on New Year s Eve Floyd Mayweather Jr walks to his corner while taking on Conor McGregor in their super welterweight boxing match at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. PHOTO: AFP TOKYO (Japan) Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr said Monday he will come out of retirement to fight a Japanese kickboxer half his age, Tenshin Nasukawa, on New Year s Eve in Saitama. T h e 41-year-old unbeaten American, who captured world titles in five different weight divisions and was considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the sport, out-boxed Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in his last fight in August That victory improved his boxing record to a perfect 50-0 but the format or rules for his meeting with the baby-faced Nasukawa were not specified by the Japanese mixed martial arts promoters RIZIN. Mayweather posted a teaser photo on his Instagram feed at the weekend, showing him wearing kickboxing gloves. I want to give the people what they want -- blood, sweat and tears, Mayweather told a news conference in Tokyo after reportedly flying into Japan on his private jet. I want to continue to build my relationship with Money Team Tokyo, he added, promoting the cross-code bout as an expansion of his businesses into Japan. I want to continue coming over here and bringing other fighters so my company can continue to grow and RIZIN can continue to grow. We ve been making some huge fights happen in the US, but we look forward to taking the Mayweather Promotions banner and the TMT banner worldwide. Nasukawa, who is described in the press release as perhaps the best combat sports prospect (Japan) has ever seen, boasts a 27-0 record but has never competed as a professional boxer. The 20-year-old with a bleached-blond quiff called it an easy decision to accept the offer to face Mayweather in Saitama, north of Tokyo. Honestly it was surprise offer but I accepted without hesitation, said Nasukawa. It s the biggest moment in my life and I want to be the man who changes history. I ll do that with these fists, with one punch just watch. Mayweather, who stopped McGregor in the 10th round last year after coming out of retirement for a $275 million pay day, had been flirting with the idea of a rematch with the Irishman or facing fearsome Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov. He s young and he s undefeated so it s obvious he s doing something right, Mayweather said of Nasukawa. AFP